Is it true that a person would need at least 100 million dollars in order to run for the Presidency?

Question

I was told that a maybe 4 or 5decades ago, mothers and fathers would tell their kids that anyone could grow up and become president as long as they were smart and worked hard.
Just curious
What do they tell them today?

Answer 1

Approximately that amount and that's why there are a lot of good men out there very capable of running this country that will never get the opportunity. This day and time parents need to tell them to be smart, work hard and hope that Oprah Winfrey backs you and then you may have a shot at being President.

Answer 2

Well, let's see: During the 2000 presidential campaign, Bush spent $ 89 million and Gore 67 million. In the 2004 campaign for the presidency, George W. Bush spent $367 million and John Kerry spent $ 328 million. Do you see the trend? Would you still think a candidate will need $ 100 million in 2008 or is it more like $400 million?

I guess parents will need to add to their list to tell their children that they'll need to learn how to raise money too, if they want to run for president...

Answer 3

The idea of a poor working class person becoming President is just about dead. But...thats not to say it cant happen. Take Bill Clinton for instance. Love the man or hate him.....this has nothing to do with any of that. He came from a working class childhood, not a rich one and not dirt poor. Just average i would say. He worked his way up and became President. Of course though when he ran for President he probably already was rich.
As far as your average joe working in a factory all his life, i dont think he should quit his job anytime soon because he has dreams of being President.

Answer 4

No, you don't need a hundred million dollars to run for presidency. You need to be 35 years of age and a citizen of the US that has lived in the US for 14 years.

Answer 5

Technically, anyone who was born in the United States, meets the age requirements, and has lived here for a certain number of years can run for president. However, successful campaigns require a lot of money (to buy media advertisments, cover traveling costs, hire staff, etc). You don't have to be a millionaire to run, you can always raise money and accept donations.

Being rich certainly helps, it allows a person huge advantages over those in the lower class, especially when it comes to receiving a good education.

Answer 6

Yes, that is the shame of our system as it is set up! And, it really is something we should all be DEEPLY ashamed of!!!! We need to return to a system, where good people can be elected for president, even if they are dirt poor. Money should not be allowed to enter into it, because that always leads to corruption!!!

Answer 7

It's true, however, the money doesn't have to be theirs. In fact, I have a friend who ran for office last Summer who refused to spend his own money. He said, if the people want me, they'll provide financial support, and if they don't want me, I'm not going broke for my ego's sake.

Remember that America shows support with our money. Financial backing of your choice of candidate is the way it's done.

It is simply naive to think otherwise. Campaigning costs money.

Answer 8

That figure may be a little too low. The presidency is won in the media, and the media does not come cheap.

Answer 9

Unfortunately it is true which means that you don't need brains to be the president.

Answer 10

100 million is a nice start.